Johnson College Receives Grant from Fastenal BK5K Johnson College received a $1,650 grant from the Fastenal BK5K Youth Fund Committee to support the College’s Girls on Fire events. Girls on Fire is a unique one-day STEM event designed for 6-9th grade students to explore career opportunities in non-traditional STEM fields. Pictured left to right: Tim Frank, Associate Director of Community Engagement, Johnson College; Marcelo DeSousa, Regional Operations Manager S-HUB, Fastenal; Whitney McDonald, S-HUB Help Desk Manager, Fastenal; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President and CEO, Johnson College; Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice President of Special Programs, Johnson College. The event is an integral part of the College’s Women in Industry Initiative and is held in conjunction with International Women’s Day. The Girls on Fire event includes tours of Johnson College’s campuses, presentations about industry experiences from women working in non-traditional STEM fields, and hands-on activities related to many of the programs offered at the College. Fastenal’s support helps Johnson College continue its mission to inspire young women to pursue rewarding careers in STEM and the trades. By connecting students with real-world experiences and industry professionals, the College aims to break down barriers and empower the next generation of women in technical fields. The BK5K, a 5-kilometer road race and walk, is held to honor Bob Kierlin, founder of Fastenal Company and lifelong supporter of youth programs. All proceeds support local youth organizations/programs that demonstrate financial need, where races are held. Learn more at https://www.bk5k.com/.
UNC Receives Generous Donation Presented by Fastenal Company United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is one of the recipients of the annual BK5K 5-kilometer road race and walk presented by Fastenal Company. A check for $3,000 was recently presented to UNC and will directly support renovations at our Progressive Child Care Center to purchase new classroom equipment. The 2024 BK5K was held on July 19, 2025, at Nay Aug Park in Scranton. The BK5K was created to honor Bob Kierlin, founder of Fastenal Company and lifelong supporter of youth initiatives. The event, which includes multiple races around the world, raises hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to benefit local youth programs. UNC operates three licensed child care centers in Lackawanna County, offering affordable, high-quality early education and after-school programs that foster growth, learning, and social development. Chrissy Manuel, UNC Director of Development and Communications; Kelly Langan, UNC Director of Children & Teens; Donna Veater, UNC Progressive Child Care Center Director; Lisa Durkin, UNC President and Chief Operating Officer; Whitney McDonald, Fastenal SHUB Help Desk Manager; Marcelo Desousa, Fastenal Regional Operations Manager; and Geyshelle Brown, UNC Progressive Child Care Center Assistant Group Supervisor.
